Any guide to choosing an LMS will tell you that the first step in the process is knowing what you need out of your LMS. That’s a great first step of course – but what if you aren’t sure what features you need?
In this article, we will explore what features should be at the top of your list when choosing an LMS in 2024.
Modern learning experience
In today's dynamic workplace, catering to diverse learning needs is paramount. As highlighted in a recent Harvard Business Review article, the workforce now spans up to six generations, each with distinct learning preferences and styles.
To maximise engagement, your LMS needs to be inviting and accessible for everyone who will be using it. How can you tell if an LMS is going to work for all users? Read case studies of companies in your industry or with a similar employee makeup and, if possible, have a range of employees demo the software before you commit.
Customised learning
One feature that is becoming increasingly popular in modern Learning Management Systems is the ability to customise the learning journey for each user. This can be as simple as course suggestions based on job role or previous modules completed and as sophisticated as an AI assistant that suggests courses or gives quick answers through a friendly chat interface.
Useable on any device
Another key feature for users of a modern LMS is full mobile compatibility. This means the platform needs to be fully responsive. A dedicated mobile app is a nice bonus as well. When your learners can access an LMS on any device, learning can take place in the moments that it’s needed the most.
Ease of use for the L&D Team
While the focus of an LMS often lies on the end-user experience, it's also essential to consider the ease of use for your Learning and Development (L&D) team. Your team should be spending time upskilling employees, not wrestling with a clunky LMS. A modern LMS empowers your team to curate, deliver, and manage learning content seamlessly. Here are some specific features to look for that will make life easy and enhance productivity for your L&D team.
Comprehensive content library
Do you currently have all the learning content that you need? Or the resources to create it? If the answer to either of these is no, then you should consider an LMS with a comprehensive content library available. Having a great base of courses ready to go for learners allows your L&D team to focus on their (many) other jobs.
If you do already have all the courses you need on another platform, be sure to choose an LMS that allows you to effortlessly migrate this content.
Integrations
Speaking of compatibility, one critical consideration for your future LMS is how well it can integrate with your other tools. For your L&D team, and company at large, to get the most out of your LMS it should be able to connect to the other software tools that you are using.
This might include everything from your communication tools to your CRM and data visualisation software. Any LMS you are considering should have a list of integrations easily available; so you can check this as an early step in your decision-making process.
Great customer support
One area where LMSs differ greatly is the amount of customer support available. This ranges from limited email support to 24/7 chat and phone support. If you are truly prioritising ease of use for your L&D team, then stellar customer support is a must have in a modern LMS. Look for an LMS that supports you from set-up and migration onwards. Some LMS providers even provide a dedicated customer success manager assigned to your account.
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Proven Track Record
In a sea of LMS options, reliability is key. Prioritise platforms with a proven track record of success. In the initial phase of your search, seek out user testimonials and industry awards to gauge the platform's effectiveness and reliability in real-world scenarios.
As you hone in on the handful of LMSs that you would like to investigate further, ask the team to share statistics such as their client renewal rate and user engagement rate. Most LMS providers will also be able to share some case studies from their clients. Don’t be afraid to reach out directly to these companies for more information about their experience with the LMS.
Strong Data Protection
In a time of strong data protection laws and rapidly growing cyber security threats, strong data protection might be the most critical requirement of a modern LMS.
Ensure the LMS you choose adheres to stringent data protection regulations and employs robust security measures to safeguard your organisation's information.
Any LMS provider you are considering should be able to quickly answer questions about what information security policies and certifications they hold and how their cybersecurity team operates.
AI Tools
In 2024, it’s impossible to talk about modern LMS features without touching on AI. Over the past months, we’ve started seeing AI integrated into our searches, our productivity apps, and much more. It’s no surprise that cutting-edge LMS providers have already started implementing AI-powered features into their platforms.
What exactly these may look like varies, but here are some examples of what AI features you can expect from a modern LMS:
- The AI chat to help learners find the right resources mentioned above;
- AI included in authoring tools to help your instructional design team create effective and engaging courses faster;
- AI summarisation of your learning resources;
- AI data analysis and reporting.
Beyond the obvious benefits of AI tools, any LMS that has already integrated AI into their platform is responsive to emerging technologies and has an agile dev team who can implement new features quickly. Basically, it’s a sign that you can expect frequent updates and upgrades in the future.
Closing thoughts
The end goal of your LMS is for it to facilitate as much learning as possible. By prioritising these key features in your quest for the perfect LMS, you can ensure that your organisation is equipped to meet the evolving needs of the modern workforce in 2024 and beyond.
